Fernando Albino de Sousa Chalana is a Portuguese retired football player and manager. Widely regarded as one of the greatest talents of his era in Portuguese football, the diminutive left winger's main asset was his ball control and dribbling skills. His career, highly troubled by injuries, was mainly spent at Benfica, where he also later worked as a manager. Prior to his physical problems, he was one of the best players at Euro 1984, helping Portugal to the semi-finals.
Playing career
Born in Barreiro, Setúbal District, Chalana began his football career at F.C. Barreirense, then moved to Lisbon neighbours S.L. Benfica in 1974, where he established himself the following eight years, scoring and assisting alike as he helped them conquer, amongst other accolades, five Primeira Liga and three Taça de Portugal trophies. Aged only 17, on 17 November 1976, Chalana won his first cap for Portugal, against Denmark for the 1978 FIFA World Cupqualifiers – at that age, he became Benfica's youngest player to score a goal at the Estádio da Luz. The peak of his career took place precisely on the international front, at UEFA Euro 1984, in France; there, the Little Genius was one of the team's leading figures, excelling in dribbling throughout the tournament, notably in the 2–3 semi-final loss against the hosts, setting up both goals forRui Jordão. Moving to a club in that country after the tournament, FC Girondins de Bordeaux, Chalana failed to impress over three full seasons, mainly due to persistent injuries. In 1987 he returned to Benfica, never being able to reproduce his previous form; his last international appearance was a friendly with Sweden on 12 November 1988, which finished with a goalless draw. Chalana wrapped his career at 33, with one season apiece with Lisbon-based sides C.F. Os Belenenses and C.F. Estrela da Amadora, the latter in the second division.
Coaching career
In 1999–2000, Chalana was at the helm of Benfica's juniors, winning the national championship. Four years later he had his first coaching experience, assisting at modest F.C. Paços de Ferreira in an eventual top-flight relegation as 17th. For the following years, Chalana served as assistant to several coaches at Benfica. However, in March 2008 he replaced José Antonio Camacho after the Spaniard was dismissed. In 2002, he had already had a one-game spell as interim, filling in for the dismissed Jesualdo Ferreira – days before precisely Camacho arrived; in that match he placed winger Miguel as a right back, where he ultimately gained worldwide recognition. After one more season as assistant, now to Quique Sánchez Flores, Chalana returned to coaching the junior side.
